Conditions History

“Brooks, waterfalls, bridges, and rock scrambling all combine to make this a trail full of surprises and challenges.”

Dogs
No Dogs

Features
Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

Overview

This is a challenging run to the summit of Lower Wolfjaw. While the views from the summit are only OK, the views along the trail seem more impressive.

Need to Know

Many trails intersect and it is easy to get on the wrong trail because Lower Wolfjaw is not well documented on the signage. Bring the Trail Run Project mobile app with you to make sure you don't get lost!

Runner Notes

The trail is very muddy and very steep with rock scrambling. I would not recommend this route for a runner.

Description

There are at least five approaches to running Lower Wolfjaw. This run begins at the Saint Huberts parking area just off of Route 73. At the parking area we found outhouses and a guide to help answer questions about the trails in the region. You'll run down a road, through a golf course and, at 0.5 miles, take a left turn at the tennis courts. This road will take you past a group of rental cabins and eventually to a massive wooden gate with the AMR logo on it. Go behind the gate.

NOTICE: This route starts on the property of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve, which has granted easements for public foot travel. Dogs are forbidden in this game preserve.

It should also be noted that MOST of the trails in this region are labeled for Upper Wolfjaw. It was very discouraging trying to figure out if you are on the correct trail at times.

As you run down West River Trail, you'll eventually see a sign for the Wolfjaws pointing to the right. This will take you across a small wooden bridge. For the next few miles, you'll be running along a creek with a waterfall, some beautiful wooden bridges and stairs, and amazing rock faces.

At about 4.3 miles, you'll come to a trail junction with blue markers that points you to the left to go to Wolfjaw Notch and Upper Wolfjaw to the left. There is no mention of Lower Wolfjaw on the signs, but the Notch is directly between the two peaks. Go left here.

At about 4.6 miles, you'll connect with the Adirondack Range Trail and the yellow DEC markers. Stay right at this junction to head to the summit of Lower Wolfjaw, which you'll reach in about 3/4 of a mile.

The summit of Lower Wolfjaw is heavily wooded with a few small bald rocks to stand on to get a better view of the mountains around you. Because the summit lacks spectacular vistas, many do not take on this peak, which will be appealing to those that like a trail that is less populated.

Continue down the other side of the mountain to complete your loop. The trail will be very steep with rock slides that require very careful maneuvering to keep from slipping and having a very rough run home! The views going down this side of the mountain are much better.

At 6.2 miles, you leave the Adirondack Range Trail and head right towards the Saint Huberts Parking Area. You'll see a sign indicating that you are 3.6 miles from the parking area. The rest of the run is a steady downhill that is easy to navigate. Eventually, you'll come to a large brook with a wooden footbridge over it. After crossing the bridge, you may be surprised to find that you have arrived back at the private land and are running up a paved road back to the parking lot for the last 0.5 miles.